SPE/IADC 79870

Thermal and Mechanical Considerations for Design of Insulated Tubing

P. D. Pattillo, SPE, BP America; J. E. Bellarby, SPE, TRACS International; G. R. Ross, Stress Engineering Services; S.
W. Gosch, SPE, BP America; and G. D. McLaren, SPE, Landmark EAME Ltd.
Copyright 2003, SPE/IADC Drilling Conference
This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPE/IADC Drilling Conference held in
Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 1921 February 2003.
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Abstract
Of the several options for controlling temperature in a well,
vacuum insulated tubing (VIT) has proven useful in a
number of applications. Use of VIT, however, necessitates
unique design considerations, from both a thermal and
mechanical perspective.
This paper describes the application of VIT for a particular
purpose to minimize temperature change, and associated
annular fluid expansion pressures, in a deep water well design.
The specific application, however, lends background to more
general design considerations associated with VIT.
Thermally, the importance of heat loss at the couplings to the
overall design is discussed, using both numerical analysis and
experimental results previously reported in the redesign of
wells for the Marlin TLP.
Mechanically, a detailed
examination of the loads to which VIT may be subjected also
uncovers special considerations.
Introduction
Vacuum insulated tubing can be applied to control heat in
either sense, that is, to confine heat within the tube (typically
for flow assurance) or, alternately, to isolate outer regions of a
wellbore from thermal effects (to minimize annular pressure
build up). The condition that inspired much of the work
summarized in this paper is of the latter form. Having
suffered a temperature related failure of at least two tubular
strings on the Marlin TLP, the fact that remaining wells on the
platform were batched drilled and similar in design to the
damaged wellbore necessitated that the outer annuli of these
wellbores be protected from large excursions in temperatue1-3.
The discussion to follow focuses on specific design issues
that arose during the Marlin VIT design phase. Given the
promising performance of VIT in large scale experiments2, it
then becomes necessary to extend that performance to an
entire wellbore to insure that (a) the VIT will remedy the

problem of annular pressure buildup and (b) it will remedy

that problem over the long term. The remaining issue,
addressed elsewhere3, is verifying that performance by
field monitoring.
VIT Configurations
The insulated tubing discussed in this paper consists of two
concentric tubes joined/sealed near either end with a weld.
This construction raises the question as to which tube should
host the threaded connection. Table 1 summarizes the primary
advantages of each configuration option.
Table 1 Comparison of VIT Tube Connection
Configurations
Connection on Inner Tube
A smooth bore (flow conduit) is
more easily obtained.
Less interference with cross
coupling centralizers and control
lines.
Lower bending stresses at weld.

Connection on Outer Tube

Greater
tensile
capacity,
assuming a given connection
efficiency.
Greater longevity for insulating
coating applied to inside of
connection.
No special space or tool
requirements
for
make-up
tongs.

Both configurations have appeared in well designs. The

Marlin choice of a connection on the outer tube will influence
some of the discussion to follow. Equations derived in the
appendix, however, can be applied to either configuration.
Thermal Design
An important step in designing a VIT completion is to verify,
within the limits of ones modeling capabilities, that insulated
tubing is actually a solution. For the Marlin wells, thermal
design involved substitution of experimental results2 into a
numerical wellbore simulator to insure that thermally
generated pressures in outer annuli will be sufficiently low to
guarantee the survival of the tubular ensemble.
Although the simulations executed for Marlin encompass
the entire wellbore3, here we shall concentrate on the all
important A annulus (e.g. tubing by production
casing/tieback). Not only must the temperature in this annulus
be constrained, it must be constrained at long time (steady
state). This requirement for sustained temperature control
places particular emphasis on natural convection. That is,
given that the heat loss at the connection will be greater than
opposite the vacuum chamber, confining the associated
temperature increase to the vicinity of each connection
is crucial.

SPE/IADC 79870

strings.
Initially, the VIT completion was modeled
with a composite thermal conductivity intended to address
the average behavior of the vacuum tube and connector.
This presentation, however, employs a modified version of
the software that permits detailing individual tubes
and connectors.
Temperature, Deg F
80

Measured Depth, ft.

5400
5450

200

300

150

HEAT FLUX

250

140

80

200
100

120

60
100

150

50

4080

100
TEMPERATURE

60

0
50

2040

5600
Fig. 2 - Illustration of the Effect of Gelled Brine Constitution on A
Annulus Temperature Profile (From Ref. 3)

Temperature, Deg F
80

020
0

Heat Flux (BTU/hr in)

160
100

Heat Flux, Btu/hr in2

5550

120
180

-50

6
6

5
5

4
4

3
3

2
2

140

Gelled
Brine 1

5350

250
350

130
Gelled
Brine 2

5300

5500

Radial Heat Flux Through VIT

120

5250

300

200

110

5200

180

140

100

5150

350

160

90

5100

200

Temperature at OD (degrees F) .

Temperature at OD, F

Connection Heat Loss. Fig. 1 displays the results of an

axisymmetric thermal analysis of a VIT joint in the
neighborhood of its threaded and coupled proprietary
connection. The finite element mesh actually serves a dual
purpose. Stress analysis of the connection can be used in
conjunction with tubing/riser dynamic analysis and fatigue
testing to examine the long term structural integrity of the
connection and weld. Alternately, the same mesh can be used
to investigate heat flow at the connection.
The results in Fig. 1 are for 5-1/2 in. (outer tube) VIT with
an internal fluid at 212F and a film coefficient of 12.23
Btu/hr-in2-F and external fluid at 55F and a film coefficient
of 6.08 Btu/hr-in2-F. This simulates the experimental facility
used to evaluate the Marlin VIT and coupling insulators2, with
steam flowing internal to the joint and glycol flowing external.
Once assembled, the finite element model can be used to
compare a variety of coupling insulation options. In the
model, conduction is assumed to occur across the connection
wherever solid components make contact.

90

100

110

120

130

140

5100

-50

Axial Distance
Center
of(inches)
Coupling, in.
Distance From
From Center
of Coupling

5150

Fig. 1 Sample Analysis of Radial Heat Flux and External Surface

Temperature of VIT Connection under Forced Convection

Heat flux through the VIT is essentially zero until the

coupling is reached. For this example, the heat loss predicted
by the finite element model through a single coupling is
35,000 Btu/hr if the coupling is not insulated. The second
curve in the figure shows the temperature at the outer surface
of the VIT. In the vacuum chamber region, the outer surface
remains at 55F. The outer surface of the coupling, however,
reaches temperatures as high as 115F.
A more difficult thermal analysis involves modeling the
natural convection inherent in the VIT by casing annulus
during service. Such work is beyond the scope of discussion
of the current paper, and involves use of either empirical
correlations4 or computational fluid mechanics software.
Wellbore Simulation. Temperature modeling of the wellbore
was conducted with a commercial thermal simulator capable
of predicting both transient wellbore temperatures and the
associated annular pressure buildup between outer casing

Measured Depth, ft.

5200
5250
5300
5350
5400
5450
5500
5550
5600
Fig. 3 - Illustration of the Effect of Gelled Brine Constitution on A
Annulus Temperature Profile from Numerical Simulator (Solid,
Bold Curve)

Results of the modeling can be benchmarked to field

temperatures recovered from a fiber optic installation
described in previous work. Fig. 2 is taken from Reference 3
and compares temperature readings from two similar wells
having different gelled brine recipes in the tubing/production
casing annulus. Fig. 3 summarizes predictions from the
numerical simulator, with the results from Fig. 2 deemphasized in the background.

SPE/IADC 79870

Comparing Fig. 2 with Fig. 3, note the following:

With particular reference to the desirable gel recipe
(Gelled Brine 1), the numerical model is capturing
the temperature response in the annulus qualitatively.
Further, there is reasonable quantitative agreement
for the peak temperatures at the couplings. The
reproduction of trough behavior opposite the vacuum
chamber, however, is not as good, with the model
over predicting VIT by casing annulus temperature.
Possible explanations for this anomaly include (a) an
incorrect value of thermal conductivity for the
vacuum chamber in the model and (b) a discrepancy
between the positions at which the model and field
fiber are reporting temperature. In either case, this is
important, as it emphasizes the effects of
computational compromises in thermal simulation
tools necessary to produce software that
can model an entire wellbore in a manner
sufficiently uncomplicated to be used by a nonspecialist engineer.
In Fig. 2 the less desirable gel recipe results in an
asymmetric profile about each connection. This is
probably due to gravitational effects. Heat loss from
each connection increases the temperature of the
annulus liquid, decreasing both its density and
viscosity. With lower density, the heated fluid rises
in the annulus, carrying heat with it, and resulting in
a higher temperature above the connection than
below. This effect is difficult to model in a thermal
simulator of the detail used in well design
calculations. For example, the simulator used here
does account for gravitation in determining if the
stresses in the fluid are sufficient to exceed its yield
strength and initiate flow. Once flow is initiated,
however, treatment of convection in the annulus does
not include a gravitational component. Therefore, as
indicated in Fig. 3, regardless of the degree of
convection, the computed temperature profile across
each connection is roughly symmetric.
The bold curve in Fig. 3 represents a variety of gelled
and ungelled brine recipes, as the predicted
temperature profile is insensitive to fluid properties in
the VIT by casing annulus. This insensitivity may be
related to the discussion in the previous bullet. Fig. 2
indicates that even field measurements of the nearcoupling temperature spikes are relatively insensitive
to annular fluid, the character of the annular fluid
appearing mainly in the convection opposite the
vacuum chamber (e.g. the width of the heat loss
affected zone). Fig. 2 better indicates the importance
of controlling convection in the tubing annulus.
Uncontrolled convection may be the source of some
reportedly unsuccessful VIT installations.
Mechanical Design
The interrelation of the inner and outer tube, constrained at the
weld, induces internal loads in the VIT joint that are foreign to
conventional tubing design. Further the weld itself offers an
additional source of design concern, particularly in portions of

a deep water string subjected to the oscillations of a TLP or

SPAR. Finally, the vacuum chamber used to control heat loss
alters the pressure differentials to which the inner and outer
tubes are subjected.
Axial Load. Apart from the challenges posed by the weight
of VIT, interaction between the two tubes constituting the
vacuum chamber introduces new considerations. Constrained
at the ends, and subjected to potentially significantly different
temperatures, the inner and outer tubes can be subjected to
unanticipated axial stresses. Further, triaxial considerations
dictate that these stresses also be given due consideration in
the determination of burst and collapse resistance.
Appendix A presents equations that can be used to
determine the axial force in either tube and at the connection
for use in mechanical design of VIT. These formulas may be
readily used in, for example, spreadsheet software to build a
design tool for insulated tubing. In addition, the derivations
reveal several important insights into VIT axial design:
If the ends of the VIT are fixed, for example when a
string composed entirely of VIT is latched into a
packer, a plane strain condition exists and the inner
and outer tubes act independently.
Although the shoulder at the weld between the inner
and outer tube can be sizeable, no additional external
load of any consequence is introduced.
Pressure Differential. Unique to the mechanical design of
VIT is the fact that the vacuum chamber itself negates the
possibility of collapse backup pressure for the outer tube and
rupture backup pressure for the inner tube.
As a simple demonstration, consider a conventional single
tube lowered into a fluid filled wellbore. At every depth, the
differential pressure acting to either collapse or rupture the
cross section is zero, and the only reasonably possible failure
mode is yield due to the combined effect of this (zero)
differential pressure with axial load. On the other hand, if a
string of VIT is run into a wellbore, at every depth the
pressure differential on either the inner or outer tube is nonzero, being equal to the hydrostatic head of the surrounding
fluid. Regardless of the axial force, the VIT becomes
increasingly endangered with depth.
Fatigue. In TLP or SPAR developments, and regardless of
whether the completion involves a sub-mudline tubing hanger,
a portion of the tubing string close to the mudline will respond
to vessel motion. As the profile assumed by the tubing
centerline will not be straight, bending, and therefore fatigue
becomes an issue. In the case of VIT, in addition to the long
term integrity of the connections, the integrity of the vacuum
chamber itself is in question.
Test Program. An example of the results one might
expect from fatigue testing is presented in Table 2 and Fig. 4.
The summaries include two different sizes of VIT 5-1/2 in. x
4-1/2 in. and 7-1/16 in. x 5-1/2 in. A total of five tests were
performed - three 5-1/2 in. tests and two 7-1/16 in. tests. The
tests were designed to determine the fatigue performance of
the threaded coupling and the welds between the inner and
outer tubes.

SPE/IADC 79870

Sample

Failure

Stress
Range
(psi)
10063

Test
Duration
(Cycles)
1,552,535

V1
Pin Cracked
(5-1/2 x 4-1/2)
V2
Pin Cracked
12188
1,869,859
(5-1/2 x 4-1/2)
V3
No Failure
8357
24,926,253
(5-1/2 x 4-1/2)
st
V7a 1 Test
Annulus
10514
3,358,046
(7-1/16 x 5-1/2)
Leak
nd
a
V7a 2 Test
End Cap
10364
3,927,308
(7-1/16 x 5-1/2)
Weld Leak
V7b
Pin Cracked
8061
15,325,791
(7-1/16 x 5-1/2)
a
The 2nd test of sample V7a was a continuation of the 1st test. A leak in an
end cap weld stopped the 2nd test. The number of cycles for the 2nd test is the
sum of the 1st test cycles and the 2nd test cycles.

Specimens. The 5-1/2 in. samples were made from pup

joints. Threaded end caps were used to contain the pressure in
the inner tube during the tests. The 7-1/16 in. samples were
cut from the ends of 40 ft joints. A weld bead was used to seal
the vacuum annulus of the 7-1/16 inch samples and a plug was
welded into the inner tube to contain the pressure. The two
sample sets used different proprietary threaded and coupled
connections. In both instances, the connection was on the
outer tube.
Test Fixture. The samples were tested in a resonant
fatigue test machine at frequencies ranging from 13 to 25 Hz.
The resonant fatigue machine consists of two supports, a
variable speed electric motor, a drive housing, and a dead
weight housing. The variable speed motor rotates an eccentric
mass in the drive housing clamped to one end of the sample.
The rpm of the motor is adjusted to load the sample near its
natural frequency. The dead weight housing is clamped to the
other end of the sample to balance the assembly. The test
sample dimensions required and the resulting test frequency
are determined using a finite element model.
Axial strain gages on the outer diameter of the VIT body
were used to monitor the bending strains during the test. The
bending strains and number of cycles were monitored and
recorded by a data acquisition system.
Two mechanisms were used to stop the test when the
sample cracked through the wall during fatigue testing; wet
detectors and pressure switches. Wet detectors were used at
the ends of the coupling. A leak, due to a through crack or the
seal, causes a change in resistance in the wet detectors that in
turn stops the fatigue machine. One pressure switch was used
to monitor the annulus between the inner and outer tube and a
second switch monitored the pressure in the inner tube.
Pressure changes in the sample trigger the pressure switch that
will shut down the machine, if the internal pressure gets too
high or too low.
Results. All samples, with one exception, were tested until
the sample failed (leaked). Sample V3 did not fail. Since
sample V3 exceeded the required life by a large margin the
test was stopped prior to failure.
All tests were run with an inner tube internal pressure of
4500 psi and a pressure of 100 psi in the annulus between the
inner and outer tube. Water was used to pressure the inner
tube and nitrogen was used to pressure the annulus.

Leaks in samples V1, V2, and V7b were due to a crack in

the pin that initiated at the toe of the fillet weld between the
inner tube and the outer tube (see Fig. 5). Sample V7a leaked
from the inner tube into the annulus. The crack in sample V7a
appeared to start in the annulus.
All of the test results are plotted in Fig. 4 along with the
mean DNV mean W curve, mean F2 curve, and a target W
curve5. The target W curve is based on three samples and a
95% confidence level. The target W curve is higher than the
mean W curve to account for statistical scatter associated with
fatigue data from a small sample size. If the fatigue lives of
all the samples of a given component are greater than the
target life, then the design fatigue curve associated with that
target curve can be used for design. Fig. 4 shows that the 71/16 in. VIT samples satisfy a W curve. The 5-1/2 in. sample
V1 is slightly below the target for the W curve. Neither VIT
size tested would satisfy an F2 curve:
1.E+05
Stress Range (psi) .

Table 2 Results of VIT Fatigue Tests

Mean W
W Target
Mean F2
V2

V7a

1.E+04

V7b

V3

V1

1.E+03
1.E+06

1.E+07
Cycles

1.E+08

Fig. 4 Fatigue Test Results

Fig. 5 Sample V2 Crack Face

Conclusions
1. The intricacies of wellbore thermal modeling suggest
that more than one simulation level is necessary to
investigate thermal behavior of VIT:
a. Detailed examination of a single or several
joints to ascertain the performance of
various options, particularly available means
of insulating the near coupling region;

SPE/IADC 79870

b.

2.

Global analysis of the wellbore to determine

the effect of VIT on outer annulus
temperatures.
In the latter case, simplifications to thermal behavior
may be necessary to achieve reasonable input and
execution times.
Mechanical design of VIT should take due
consideration of:
a. The lack of pressure backup on both inner
and outer tube;
b. The unique axial loads in the separate tubes
due to their displacement constraint at the
weld;
c. The possibility of vacuum failure due to,
among other sources, fatigue of the weld.

Acknowledgments
The authors wish to acknowledge S. A. Fox of Stress
Engineering Services for his fatigue testing of the VIT
samples reported in this manuscript.
Nomenclature
A = cross-sectional area, [L2], in2
Ac = externally exposed cross-sectional area of coupling,
[L2], in2
AC = cross-sectional area of conventional tubing, [L2], in2
Ai = cross-sectional area of inner tube, [L2], in2
A i = internal cross-sectional area, [L2], in2
Aii = internal cross-sectional area of inner tube, [L2], in2

ACi = internal cross-sectional area of conventional tubing,

2

[L ], in

A = external cross-sectional area, [L2], in2

ACo = external cross-sectional area of conventional tubing,

[L2], in2

Aoo = external cross-sectional area of outer tube, [L2], in2

Ao = cross-sectional area of outer tube, [L2], in2
A p = area of packer bore, [L2], in2
Aw = cross-sectional area of weld, [L2], in2
AV = either Ai or Ao , see Eq. (A-6), [L2], in2
E = Youngs modulus, [M/(LT2)], psi
E C = Youngs modulus of conventional tubing, [M/(LT2)],
psi
E i = Youngs modulus of inner tube, [M/(LT2)], psi
E o = Youngs modulus of outer tube, [M/(LT2)], psi
F = axial force, [ML/T2], lb.
FC = axial force in conventional tubing, [ML/T2], lb.

FVIT = axial force in VIT connector, [ML/T2], lb.

L = length, [L], in.
pi = internal pressure, [M/(LT2)], psi
p Pi = internal pressure at packer, [M/(LT2)], psi
p Po = external pressure at packer, [M/(LT2)], psi
p w = pressure acting at weld, [M/(LT2)], psi
p wL = pw evaluated at lower end of VIT joint, [M/(LT2)],
psi
S wi = shear force between weld and inner tube, [ML/T2], lb.
S wo = shear force between weld and outer tube, [ML/T2], lb.
T = temperature, [], F
TC = temperature of conventional tubing, [], F
Ti = temperature of inner tube, [], F
To = temperature of outer tube, [], F
Wi = weight of inner tube between weld and Fi , [ML/T2], lb.
WiL = weight of inner tube, [ML/T2], lb.
Wo = weight of outer tube between weld and Fo , [ML/T2],
lb.
WoL = weight of outer tube, [ML/T2], lb.

= linear coefficient of thermal expansion, [1/], in/(in-F)

C = linear coefficient of thermal expansion of conventional
tubing, [1/], in/(in-F)

i = linear coefficient of thermal expansion of inner tube,

[1/], in/(in-F)

o = linear coefficient of thermal expansion of outer tube,

[1/], in/(in-F)

= general quantity
= axial length change, [L], in.
i = axial length change of inner tube, [L], in.
o = axial length change of outer tube, [L], in.
VIT = axial length change of piece of VIT, [L], in.
z = axial strain, [L/L], in./in.
= Poissons ratio
C = Poissons ratio of conventional tubing material
i = Poissons ratio of inner tube material
o = Poissons ratio of outer tube material
z = axial stress, [M/(LT2)], psi
r = radial stress, [M/(LT2)], psi
= circumferential or hoop stress, [M/(LT2)], psi
References
1.

Fi = axial force in inner tube, [ML/T2], lb.

Fiw = axial force in inner tube at weld, [ML/T2], lb.

2.

FL = force at lower end of VIT joint due to interaction with

joints below, [ML/T2], lb.
Fo = axial force in outer tube, [ML/T2], lb.

3.

Fow = axial force in outer tube at weld, [ML/T2], lb.

Bradford, D. W. et al.: Marlin Failure Analysis and

Redesign; Part 1, Description of Failure, paper SPE 74528
presented at the 2002 IADC/SPE Drilling Conference,
Dallas, February 26-28.
Ellis, R. C. et al.: Marlin Failure Analysis and Redesign;
Part 2, Redesign, paper SPE 74529 presented at the 2002
IADC/SPE Drilling Conference, Dallas, February 26-28.
Gosch, S. W. et al.: Marlin Failure Analysis and Redesign;
Part 3, VIT Completion With Real-Time Monitoring,

SPE/IADC 79870

4.

5.

paper SPE 74530 presented at the 2002 IADC/SPE Drilling

Conference, Dallas, February 26-28.
Dropkin, D. and Somerscales, E.: Heat Transfer by
Natural Convection in Liquids Confined by Two Parallel
Plates Which Are Inclined at Various Angles With Respect
to the Horizontal, Transactions of the ASME, Journal of
Heat Transfer (February 1965) 77-84.
Department of Energy: Guidance on Design and
Construction (1984).

Solving Eqs. (A-1)-(A-3) for FVIT ,

FVIT = Fi + Wi + Fo + Wo + pw ( AV + Aw ) .................... (A-4)

where
p for connection on outside tube
pw = i
.................. (A-5)
p o for connection on inside tube
A for connection on outside tube
AV = i
.................. (A-6)
Ao for connection on inside tube

Appendix A Relations for VIT Axial Load

This section sets forth the equations for conventional axial
design of vacuum insulated tubing ignoring the possibility of
column buckling. The tubing is modeled as illustrated in Fig.
A1. Two tubes of equal length are attached by a rigid weld at
either end. One of the tubes, in the figure it is the outer tube,
has a short extension which contains the threaded connector
for attaching to adjacent tubulars. The extension containing
the connector is assumed rigid.
Let the subscripts i and o denote the inner and outer tubes of
the VIT, respectively, and let the subscript w refer to the weld
connecting the two tubes. Summing forces,

This is the first constraint on the VIT, relating the forces in the
two tubes to the connector force. Comparison of Eqs. (A-5)
and (A-6) with Fig. A1 illustrates the amendments necessary
to accommodate the location of the connector.
For future reference, note that Fi and Wi are intimately
related, as are the force and weight in the outside tube. In
particular, if Fiw is the force in the inner tube at the weld (e.g.
just below the weld in Fig. A1), that is when Wi = 0 , then

Fi Wi p i Ai + S wi = 0 ......................................... (A-1)

Fiw = Fi + Wi ............................................................. (A-7)

S wi + S wo pw Aw = 0 ............................................. (A-2)
Fo Wo S wo + FVIT = 0 ......................................... (A-3)

For inclined wellbores, the weight terms may be replaced by

their axial components.
FVIT

piAi

pwAw

FVIT

and similarly for the force and weight in the outside tube.
Substituting Eq. (A-7) into (A-4),
FVIT = Fiw + Fow + pw ( AV + Aw ) , .............................. (A-8)

relating the inner and outer axial forces at the weld to the axial
force in the coupling.
The second constraint on the VIT governing equations is
related to displacement of the two tubes. Given an individual
tube subjected to axial load, internal and external pressure and
temperature change, the strain at any point in the tube is

z =

1
[ z ( r + )] + T . ............................... (A-9)
E

From Lames equations,

w
Swi

Swo

r + = 2

pi Ai po A o
. .................................... (A-10)
A

Substituting Eq. (A-10) into (A-9)

Wi
i

z =

Wo

p Ai po Ao
1
z 2 i

E
A

+ T . ............... (A-11)

The length change, , over a length L is given by,

L

= z dl . ............................................................... (A-12)
0

Substituting Eq. (A-11) into (A-12) and defining the average

of any quantity as
Fi

Fo

Fig. A1 - Schematic of VIT with Free Body Diagram of Internal

Forces, Connector Located on Outer Tube

1
=
dl ,............................................................. (A-13)
L

SPE/IADC 79870

then

)]

F 2 p i A i p o A o + T . ............... (A-14)
EA

= L

For VIT, p o = 0 for the inner tube and p i = 0 for the

outer tube. Further, Li = Lo = L . We can now write

Simplifications. Assume both tubes of the VIT composite are

made of the same material.
Then Ei = Eo = EVIT ,
i = o = VIT and i = o = VIT . Equations (A-18) and
(A-20) can be rewritten as
Fi Fo

=
Ai Ao

1
Fi 2 i p i Aii + i Ti , ...................... (A-15)

E i Ai

i = L

1
Fo + 2 o p o Aoo + o To . ................. (A-16)

E o Ao

o = L

The second constraint on the VIT recognizes that these two

tube displacements must be equal,

Ai

Ao
2 VIT i pi + o po VIT EVIT Ti To
Ai

Ao

Fi
Fo

=
E i Ai E o Ao
2 i Aii
2 A o
p i + o o p o i Ti o To
E i Ai
E o Ao

EVIT
( Ai + Ao )VIT VIT EVIT AiTi + AoTo
L
. (A-22)
WiL + WoL
i
o
+ 2VIT Ai pi Ao po +
+ pw ( AV + Aw )
2

FVIT =

i = o = VIT . ......................................................... (A-17)

Implications of VIT Constraints. The two constraints placed
on the VIT composite:
The forces Fiw and Fow in the individual tubes are
related to the combined force at the connector by Eq.
(A-8);
The length changes of the individual tubes are equal,
that is, i = o = VIT ;
lead to the following:
Relation between Tube Forces. Solving Eqs. (A-15) and
(A-16) under the constraint i = o = VIT leads to the
following relation,

, (A-21)

FVIT
pw

WiL

WoL

. ........ (A-18)

Force-Displacement Relation for VIT. Integrating Eq.

(A-4) over L ,
FVIT =
F + WiL + F + WoL + p ( A + A ) ........ (A-19)
i
w V
w
2 o
2

Substituting Eqs. (A-15) and (A-16) into (A-19) , the

relation between the external force on a VIT joint and its
displacement (recall connectors are assumed rigid) is

Fi

pwL

Fo

FL

E A + Eo Ao
FVIT = i i
VIT i Ei AiTi + o Eo AoTo
L
. (A-20)
W + WoL
+ 2 i Aii pi o Aoo po + iL
+ pw ( AV + Aw )
2

Fig. A2 - Schematic of Lower End of VIT with Free Body Diagram

of Internal Forces, Connector on Outer Tube

Given the connector force, FVIT , the forces in the individual

tubes can be recovered by solving for VIT in Eq. (A-20) and
then using this value in Eqs. (A-15) and (A-16).

Special Load Case - Running in Hole. Let a string of VIT

be run in a vertical wellbore. Evaluating Eq. (A-4) at the
lower end of a joint (see Fig. A2),

SPE/IADC 79870

Fi + Fo = FL pwL ( AV + Aw )

= FVIT (WiL + WoL ) pw ( AV + Aw )

FVIT = VIT EVIT (Ai Ti + Ao To )

, .......... (A-23)

or

A
W + WoL
pwL ( AV + Aw ) +
Fi = 1 + o FL + iL
Ai
2

2 VIT p o Aii + Aoo

Ai

,(A-25)

A
W + WoL
pwL ( AV + Aw )
Fo = 1 + i FL + iL
A
2

A
2 VIT p Aii + i Aoo
Ao

FVIT = Fi + Fo + pw ( AV + Aw ) , ........................ (A-28)

Ai

Fo
Ao

which are identical to the results one would achieve by noting

that individually, i = o = 0 , and solving (A-15) and (A16).
That is, during plane strain, the two tubes act
independently.
Special Load Case - Changes from Initial Condition with
Fixed Ends, Tapered Tubing String. The previous section
dealt with the case of a string composed entirely of insulated
tubing. Should only a portion of the tubing string be insulated,
with the remainder conventional tubing, the problem is
slightly more complicated. As before, we can take advantage
of the fact that the equations are linear in axial force,
temperature and pressure. Further, as the analysis is elastic,
we can temporarily ignore the change in axial force at the
VIT/conventional tubing cross over and add it later. The total
length change to be expected from the tapered tubing string
under changes in pressure and temperature is, therefore,
Total = VIT + Conventional + Pac ker .............. (A-34)
Total =

Ai

Ao
2 VIT i pi + o po VIT EVIT Ti To
Ai

Ao

EVIT
( Ai + Ao ) VIT
L
VIT EVIT Ai Ti + Ao To

VIT

Aoo p o

) + p

, ...... (A-30)
w

( AV

2 VIT Aii pi Aoo po pw ( AV + Aw ) +

Conv

L
FVIT + VIT EVIT Ai Ti + Ao To
VIT ( Ai + Ao )

)]

L
FC + C EC AC TC 2 C ACi pi ACo po +
C AC

[ p (A
Pi

)]

(A-35)

ACi + pPo AP ACo

L
L

+
E ( A + Ao )
E A

Conv C C
VIT VIT i

,(A-29)

FVIT =

+ 2 VIT Aii p i

Fo = 2 VIT Aoo po VIT EVIT Ao To ,.................. (A-33)

or

FVIT = Fi + Fo + pw ( AV + Aw ) , ........................ (A-27)

Fi = 2VIT Aii pi VIT EVIT Ai Ti , ....................... (A-32)

.(A-26)

Special Load Case - Changes from Initial Condition with

Fixed Ends, Single VIT Tube. The equations relating length
change to axial force, temperature and pressure are linear in
these quantities. We can, therefore, also employ these
equations to relate incremental length change to increments in
axial force, temperature and pressure. The incremental forms
of Eqs. (A-4), (A-19), (A-21) and (A-22) become

Fi

. .............. (A-31)

Solving (A-28), (A-29) and (A-31) simultaneously,

FVIT = FL + (WiL + WoL ) + ( pw pwL )( AV + Aw ) . ..... (A-24)

where, in the last term, pw and p wL will usually differ by a

small amount, the hydrostatic pressure of the fluid column
from the top to the bottom of the VIT joint. In a string
composed of VIT above conventional tubing, FL for the
lowermost VIT joint would be the air weight of the
conventional tubing plus the hydrostatic force at the lower end
of the conventional tubing.
Substituting Eqs. (A-21) and (A-24) into Eq. (A-19) with
Ti = To and p i = p o = p ,

+ 2VIT Aii pi Aoo po + pw ( AV + Aw )

+ Aw )

as the air weight of the tube components is constant.

If the tube ends are fixed, VIT = 0 and Eq. (A-30)
becomes

where the subscript C denotes conventional tubing and the

subscript P denotes the packer at the bottom of the
conventional tubing.
The summation over VIT and Conventional does not here
imply a variety of different VIT or conventional tubing
segments (although such a situation can be treated by a natural
extension of Eq. (A-35)). Rather, the sums imply a variety of
segments of the same VIT or conventional tubing. For
example, one might want to subdivide either the VIT or
Conventional portions of the string to handle a directional
wellbore modeled as being piecewise linear.
For a tubing string (VIT plus conventional tubing) that is
fixed at both ends, Total = 0 , FVIT = FC = F1 , and,

SPE/IADC 79870

F1 =

VIT

pw ( AV + Aw )
EVIT
+

VIT Ai Ti + Ao To

Ai p Aoo po

2 VIT i i

( Ai + Ao )
( Ai + Ao )
EVIT

( Ai + Ao )

pPi ( AP ACi ) + pPo AP ACo

L
EVIT ( Ai + Ao )

Ai p ACo po
+
C TC 2 C C i
EC
AC
Conv

pPi AP ACi + pPo AP ACo

L /
EC AC

L
L

+
EVIT ( Ai + Ao )
EC AC

Conv
VIT

........................................................................................ (A-36)

Finally, change in pressure at the shoulder created by the

cross over between the VIT and conventional segments of the
tubing string will create an additional incremental force,
FXO , given by (positive upward)

FXO = pi ,XO ACi Aii + po ,XO Aoo ACo , .......... (A-37)

where p i , XO is the change in internal pressure and p o, XO is

additional force on the connection due to the cross section of

the weld and, if the connector is on the outer tube, the cross
section of the inner tube? To investigate this possibility,
consider Fig. A3 which is a close up of a connection.
In the figure, the connection is loaded by three axial forces
due to pressure on shoulders:
A compressive force on the coupling itself, equal in
magnitude to p o Ac , where Ac is the externally
exposed cross-sectional area of the coupling;
A tensile force between the pin ends in the so-called J
area;
A tensile force associated with pressure on the weld
(and unthreaded tube) cross section, p w ( AV + Aw ) .
A cursory examination of the loads suggests that, given
sufficient pressure on the weld and unthreaded tube, the third
force could be sizeable, and could act subtlety to part the
connector. This, however, is not the case. The key to
understanding lies in the values of Fi and Fo . Consider, for
example, Fig. A4 and the key fact that, at some point in the
wellbore, the VIT must terminate at either end. In this regard,
it is more useful to compare the term p w ( AV + Aw ) as it
appears at either end of a single VIT joint, rather than compare
the term as it represents adjacent joints.

the change in external pressure at the cross over. The

incremental change in axial force in the VIT and conventional
segments of the tubing string is determined by the
requirements that

FVIT + FXO FC = 0 ,........................................ (A-38)

VIT + C = FVIT

VIT

L
+ FC
EVIT ( Ai + Ao )

Conv

L
=0
EC AC

piAi

piAo

pw(Aw + Ao)
poAc

pw(Aw + Ai)
poAc

, ....................................................................................... (A-39)
leading to

FVIT

= 1 +

FC = 1 +

E ( A + Ao )
VIT VIT i
FXO ,............. (A-40)
L

EC AC
Conv

Conv
FXO . .................. (A-41)
L

E ( A + Ao )
VIT VIT i

L
EC AC

The incremental force F1 in Eq. (A-36) is applied to both

the VIT and conventional tubing segments of the tubing string.
The incremental forces given in Eqs. (A-40) and (A-41) are
applied to their respective segments only.
Comments on the Weld Shoulder Force. The view of a
connector presented in Fig. A1 is simple and, one might
suspect, overly simple. Is it possible we are ignoring an

Fi

Fi

Fo

a. Outer Connection

Fo

b. Inner Connection

Fig. A3 Close Up of Forces in Vicinity of Connection

The term involving pw generates a force at the shoulder

comprised of the weld and the cross section of the tube that
does not contain the connection. Given the length of a typical
connection, all shoulders can be ignored. That is, for each
VIT joint there is a differential axial force
( pw pwL )( AV + Aw ) . The axial differential force is
pw pwL = f TVDC , where f

is the density of the

contacting fluid and TVDC is the difference in true vertical

depth traversing the joint. In the extreme case of a vertical
wellbore this pressure difference will be on the order of 40 psi
or less, resulting in a force on the order of 40( AV + Aw ) psi,
much less than other components of the axial load.

10

SPE/IADC 79870

Stated differently, when viewing Fig. A3 it is important to

remember that the forces Fi and Fo contain contributions
from the lower end of the lower VIT joint (and the upper end
of the upper VIT joint), so that the seemingly large force at the
weld shoulder, p w ( AV + Aw ) , is almost completely countered
by an opposing contribution, p wL ( AV + Aw ) to Fi (or Fo in
the case of Fig. A3.b).

Transition to
conventional
tubing

Axial force on
weld shoulder

Transition to
conventional
tubing
Fig. A4 Schematic of VIT Tubing String